Madeon

Madeon is a busy man. So busy, in fact, that even DJ Mag couldn’t pin him down for a chat about the Top 100 this year, as the young French producer had entered a self-imposed studio lockdown.
Despite the slightly ominous-sounding lockdown, Madeon’s temporary step out of the spotlight signals what fans of the Frenchman have long been waiting for.

Currently working on his as-yet-unnamed debut LP, Madeon aka Hugo Leclercq has always had a unique calling card — his youth. First turning his hand to dance music at age 11, Madeon went down the remix route to find recognition, recreating tracks from progressive-come-EDM DJ Deadmau5 and French electro pop princess, Yelle.

It was Madeon’s shimmering ode to d&b superstars Pendulum that really got tongues wagging though, kicking Madeon out of his bedroom and into the DJ booth at age 16 — complete with responsible adult chaperone, of course.

Since then, everyone who’s anyone has waxed lyrical about the youngster, including French touch legend Alan Braxe, Brit boys Chase & Status and dubstep posterboy, Skrillex, who have each tipped their hat to Madeon’s mind-boggling, next-gen talent.

Aside from his own full-power, big room releases, last year saw Madeon co-produce eccentric pop star Lady Gaga’s ‘ARTPOP’ album as well as Coldplay’s ‘Ghost Stories’ — not bad for a kid who just turned 20. So what’s new for Madeon in 2014? Since last year's Top 100, he’s released the free download ‘Cut the Kid’ which received an eye-watering half a million plays in under two days. No stranger to a festival set, Madeon has also racked up some hefty air miles this year, playing slots at Ultra in Miami and South West Four in London.

Sadly, there’s no word yet on when the lockdown will end. But there’s little doubt that when we do see him next, Madeon will be armed with a fully stocked artillery of brand-new electro pop weapons. Stay tuned!
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